UpliftedCare provides both hospice care and palliative care. As serious illness and end-of-life specialists, we are quite knowledgeable of the differences between palliative and hospice care and when each is most likely to serve a family’s needs most adequately. UpliftedCare is available to help you figure out which type of care may serve you best. Either by phone or in person we’re available to speak with you and will answer your questions, address your doubts and fears, and enable you to make more knowledgeable decisions. Help is only a phone call away.
Choosing palliative vs hospice is a delicate conversation that some providers shy away from having. Doctors are individuals just like we are, and while many may not hesitate to have this discussion, many do.
Some reasons they may hesitate are:
Difficulty Broaching the Topic: Some doctors may find it challenging to initiate such conversations, because they fear it could be emotionally distressing for the patient and their families.
Uncertainty About Patient’s Acceptance: Some may be uncertain about how receptive families will be to the idea of hospice care. They may worry about causing distress or anxiety by bringing up the topic, especially if the patient does not seem aware of the severity of their condition.
Lack of Training: Some healthcare professionals do not feel that they have been adequately trained to effectively communicate about end-of-life issues.
Fear of Taking Away Hope: Doctors may be concerned that discussing hospice could be interpreted as taking away hope rather than transitioning hope from a cure to having more good days than bad days. That may lead them to delay or avoid such discussions.
Cultural and Personal Beliefs: Cultural and personal beliefs about death and dying can influence how healthcare professionals approach discussions about hospice. Some doctors may be influenced by their own beliefs or cultural factors that make them hesitant to broach the subject.
Perceived Lack of Time: Doctors have busy schedules, and they may think that they don’t have adequate time to have these conversations with the amount of delicacy that patients deserve.
Some doctors prescribe palliative care when hospice care is more appropriate for these and other reasons. But arranging palliative care when hospice care is needed leaves many needs unmet, and often results in being readmitted to the hospital. In fact, discharge to an inadequate level of care is a primary cause of hospital readmissions.
The decision to choose hospice care over palliative care, or to transition from palliative care to hospice care should be based on your loved one’s medical condition and prognosis. Though hospice care is generally considered when a person has a prognosis of six months or less, comorbidities and signs of decline should be considered together with the main prognosis. This is where providers need to be knowledgeable of the differences between palliative and hospice care and when each is most likely to serve a family’s needs most adequately.
Signs that indicate choosing hospice, or transitioning to hospice care may be a good decision could include:
Decline in Health: Is your loved one’s health deteriorating despite receiving curative or palliative treatments? Is their mobility decreasing even while receiving treatment?
Frequent Hospitalizations: Have they been admitted to the hospital several times for unanticipated events or for worsening symptoms?
Limited Benefit from Treatment: If they are no longer responding well to curative treatments, would keeping them comfortable give them better days?
Recurrent Infections: Persistent or recurrent infections may indicate a decline in the patient’s overall health.
Weight Loss and Fatigue: Severe weight loss and persistent fatigue may be signs that the body is weakening.
Increased Dependence: Have they become increasingly dependent on others for daily activities? Do they need increasing amounts of help with daily tasks like sitting up, getting up, eating, or going to the bathroom?
Withdrawal from Treatment: Are they saying they’ve had enough treatments, that they aren’t doing any good? If they just want more good days than days spent struggling it may be time for supportive and comfort care.
It’s essential for patients to overcome any potential obstacles in obtaining the type of care they really need by expressing their preferences and concerns. That’s the only way to ensure that you receive the most appropriate care for your family’s needs. If your family is coping with a serious illness, it’s time to have open and honest communication with your healthcare providers about your options. It takes courage, but we are available to help you figure out which type of care may serve you best. UpliftedCare can answer your questions, address your doubts and fears, and enable you to make more knowledgeable decisions. Help is only a phone call away.
